How does the SF State University Police Department meet Megan's Law requirements?
The State of California requires sex offenders to register with the police in the jurisdiction in which they reside. The State makes this information available to law enforcement agencies. The public can view the information at some local police departments. State law also requires sex offenders to register with the SF State University Police Department if they work on campus (including contractors), attend classes, or volunteer.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) does not prohibit release of data on registered sex offenders under this law. The SF State University Police Department participates in the California Department of Justice's Megan's Law Data Program. In accordance with existing federal and state laws and CSU Chancellor Office policies, Megan's Law allows the public to view information about sex offenders that may be residing in their community, which helps people be aware of potential risks.
Megan's Law information is available online at meganslaw.ca.gov.
The SF State University Police Department may notify any of the following persons, agencies, or organizations the offender is likely to come in contact with, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Public and private educational institutions
- Day care establishments
- Locations that mainly serve individuals likely to be victimized by an offender
- Other community members that may be at risk
Pursuant to the provisions of section 290(m) of the California Penal Code, the SF State University Police Department may provide any of the following information regarding a Sex Offender to any of the persons, agencies, or organizations authorized to receive information:
- The offender's full name
- The offender's known aliases
- The offender's gender
- The offender's race
- The offender's physical description
- The offender's photograph
- The offender's date of birth
- Crimes resulting in registration under 290 PC
- The offender's address which must be verified prior to publication
- Description and license plate number of offender's vehicles or vehicles the offender is known to drive
- Type of victim targeted by the offender
- Relevant parole and probation conditions, such as one prohibiting contact with children
- Dates of crimes resulting in classification under this section
- Date of release from confinement
Note: Information disclosed pursuant this procedure shall not include information that would tend to identify the victim.
The SF State University Police Department will disseminate information for serious and high-risk offenders living within our concurrent jurisdictional area.
We also communicate with the San Francisco Police Department and other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies through our involvement in groups such as the Bay Area Law Enforcement Executives meetings and the California Sexual Assault Investigators Association.
Public Access to the Megan's Law Database
Section 290.4 of the California Penal Code mandates that the Department of Justice maintain an on-line, publicly accessible database of convicted sexual offenders. The SF State University Police Department does not provide public access to the Megan's Law database. Any member of the public who may desire access to the Megan's Law database should visit meganslaw.ca.gov.
Anyone needing to register per Section 290 of the California Penal Code must call (415) 338-7200 to make an appointment.